Levine - Cubs going after Frasor and other stuff (Webb)...

[David]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/2879/cubs-weighing-bullpen-rotation-options

 

 

 

The team also is interested in middle reliever Jason Frasor of the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a scouting source. The Cubs did their best but failed to obtain Frasor last year in a trade.

 

Meanwhile, medical documents on former Cy Young winner Brandon Webb, a major league source said, have been sent to Cubs' team doctors to analyze. Webb has had arm issues since blowing out his shoulder on Opening Day 2009. Webb and the Cubs might be a good match on a one-year contract with incentives built in, if the doctors sign off on the medicals.

 

The Texas Rangers and Cubs still are talking about a deal that would send infielder Chris Davis to the Cubs. Minor-league catcher Robinson Chirinos and another prospect is what Texas is seeking in return. Chicago also wants right-handed pitcher Darren O’Day thrown into the deal. O’Day had a terrific year for the Ragners in 2010, with a 6-2 record in 72 appearances.

 

Right now, the Cubs’ main focus is the Garza deal. The other situations are, for now, on the backburner.

[Northside Blues]

If we sit on our hands, our bullpen will be a lot better next year. We don't need to make a deal just to make a deal. Frasor's had one very good year in a 7 year career and has been average at best the other six.

[UMFan83]

I wonder if it's Garza OR Webb or Garza and Webb.

 

Webb

Garza

Zambrano

Dempster

Silva?

I could live with that rotation

[ChiCubsFan]

I wonder if it's Garza OR Webb or Garza and Webb.

 

Webb

Garza

Zambrano

Dempster

Silva?

I could live with that rotation

 

Where's Wells?

 

Put Silva in the bullpen as a long man/spot starter or try to trade him and put Wells in the rotation. That's a damn good rotation. We might actually not be horrible.

[17 Seconds]

brett jackson for frasor!!!!

[UMFan83]

I wonder if it's Garza OR Webb or Garza and Webb.

 

Webb

Garza

Zambrano

Dempster

Silva?

I could live with that rotation

 

Where's Wells?

 

Put Silva in the bullpen as a long man/spot starter or try to trade him and put Wells in the rotation. That's a damn good rotation. We might actually not be horrible.

 

I thought they were talking about Wells going in the Garza deal.

[David]

goony was... prompting people to argue about why that shouldn't happen... nobody ever reported anything about wells for garza, as far as i know

[ChiCubsFan]

Yeah, everything I've read says they want prospects in return. It was pretty amazing how that one suggestion turned into a 8 page discussion on who is better. Hopefully we'll be able to see over the next couple years while both are pitching for the Chicago Cubs.

[Northside Blues]

be careful, you just might get what you asked for.

[ctcf]

I wonder if it's Garza OR Webb or Garza and Webb.

 

Webb

Garza

Zambrano

Dempster

Silva?

I could live with that rotation

 

Where's Wells?

 

Put Silva in the bullpen as a long man/spot starter or try to trade him and put Wells in the rotation. That's a damn good rotation. We might actually not be horrible.

 

The best part of that is that it wouldn't be unthinkable for the Silva spot to become Archer during the season.

[ChiCubsFan]

http://cubbiescrib.com/2010/12/08/the-chicago-cubs-want-matt-garza/

 

Bruce Levine was on XM Radio tonight with Mike Ferrin and Jeff Nelson, and he told them that the deal on the table does include Cubs top catching prospect Robinson Chirinos, and one of their top shortstop prospects along with two other top prospects in the Cubs organization. Considering that Garza is still under team control for three more seasons, the Cubs would not be overpaying to get Garza.

 

Kind of was hoping to keep Chirinos to use in the deal with Texas to get O'Day and Davis. Maybe one of them would accept one of our other catching prospects instead?

[Northside Blues]

Chirinos, Lee and who else? I'd say a guy like Austin Reed or Brandon Guyer could be thrown around. Depends on what the definition of top prospect is. top 10, 30 20?

[Guest]

Chirinos, Lee and who else? I'd say a guy like Austin Reed or Brandon Guyer could be thrown around. Depends on what the definition of top prospect is. top 10, 30 20?

 

Austin Reed can't be traded till the middle of next season.

[Northside Blues]

Ooops. I meant Kirk.

[dew1679666265]

http://cubbiescrib.com/2010/12/08/the-chicago-cubs-want-matt-garza/

 

Bruce Levine was on XM Radio tonight with Mike Ferrin and Jeff Nelson, and he told them that the deal on the table does include Cubs top catching prospect Robinson Chirinos, and one of their top shortstop prospects along with two other top prospects in the Cubs organization. Considering that Garza is still under team control for three more seasons, the Cubs would not be overpaying to get Garza.

 

Kind of was hoping to keep Chirinos to use in the deal with Texas to get O'Day and Davis. Maybe one of them would accept one of our other catching prospects instead?

 

This has the potential to be a really, really bad trade.

[Clem Fandango]

http://cubbiescrib.com/2010/12/08/the-chicago-cubs-want-matt-garza/

 

Bruce Levine was on XM Radio tonight with Mike Ferrin and Jeff Nelson, and he told them that the deal on the table does include Cubs top catching prospect Robinson Chirinos, and one of their top shortstop prospects along with two other top prospects in the Cubs organization. Considering that Garza is still under team control for three more seasons, the Cubs would not be overpaying to get Garza.

 

Kind of was hoping to keep Chirinos to use in the deal with Texas to get O'Day and Davis. Maybe one of them would accept one of our other catching prospects instead?

 

This has the potential to be a really, really bad trade.

 

Yeah, I'm not liking the implied amount of players we're giving up. Great, Garza is under control for 3 more years. 3 more multimillion dollar years. Chirinos and Lee, IMO, should be plenty to get the deal done, though I hope they rework it to keep Lee... I really like the idea of having Lee and Castro up the middle in the future. They'd probably be a lot of fun to watch

[dew1679666265]

Yeah, I'm not liking the implied amount of players we're giving up. Great, Garza is under control for 3 more years. 3 more multimillion dollar years. Chirinos and Lee, IMO, should be plenty to get the deal done, though I hope they rework it to keep Lee... I really like the idea of having Lee and Castro up the middle in the future. They'd probably be a lot of fun to watch

 

It kind of depends on what "top prospects" means exactly, but I can't imagine giving up HJ Lee and Chirinos + pretty much anybody else as a good deal. If top prospects means JJax, Vitters, McNutt, etc., then it gets into the horrid trade range.

 

Looking at xFIP, Garza hasn't been terribly impressive. He may outpitch his xFIP as he's done in Tampa, but he won't have the same level of defense playing behind him in Chicago that he's had in Tampa. Being any more than a 3-4 starter is unlikely, I'd think.

[XZero771679666304]

Let's not forget Garza was pitching in the Al East. The level of offense he'd be facing would be much, much lower.

[Clem Fandango]

Yeah, I'm not liking the implied amount of players we're giving up. Great, Garza is under control for 3 more years. 3 more multimillion dollar years. Chirinos and Lee, IMO, should be plenty to get the deal done, though I hope they rework it to keep Lee... I really like the idea of having Lee and Castro up the middle in the future. They'd probably be a lot of fun to watch

 

It kind of depends on what "top prospects" means exactly, but I can't imagine giving up HJ Lee and Chirinos + pretty much anybody else as a good deal. If top prospects means JJax, Vitters, McNutt, etc., then it gets into the horrid trade range.

 

Looking at xFIP, Garza hasn't been terribly impressive. He may outpitch his xFIP as he's done in Tampa, but he won't have the same level of defense playing behind him in Chicago that he's had in Tampa. Being any more than a 3-4 starter is unlikely, I'd think.

 

I've gotten to the point where I'd gladly welcome him to the team for the right price, but I won't be losing any sleep over it if the deal doesn't go through. He's not an essential piece to the 2011 Chicago Cubs puzzle.

 

Though I will say, if our offseason acquisitions were Garza, Webb, Pena, Davis, and O'Day I'd be pretty happy. Doubt all that happens though

[dew1679666265]

Let's not forget Garza was pitching in the Al East. The level of offense he'd be facing would be much, much lower.

 

That would definitely help him, though his ERA and WHIP haven't been hurt by facing the Red Sox - he has a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP against them. The Yankees have hit him pretty hard, though.

 

Interestingly, B-R has his similar pitchers at age 26 as Kip Wells and Steve Trachsel. Ouch.

[dew1679666265]

I've gotten to the point where I'd gladly welcome him to the team for the right price, but I won't be losing any sleep over it if the deal doesn't go through. He's not an essential piece to the 2011 Chicago Cubs puzzle.

 

Though I will say, if our offseason acquisitions were Garza, Webb, Pena, Davis, and O'Day I'd be pretty happy. Doubt all that happens though

 

I'd be fine with him as long as we don't overpay. Giving up one of our better prospects is pretty close to overpaying and probably is.

[dew1679666265]

As for the Frasor rumor, I really hope the Chirinos/Dolis for Davis/O'Day trade goes through quickly so Hendry doesn't feel the need to pursue him any further. That'd be a pretty awful signing.

[XZero771679666304]

I've gotten to the point where I'd gladly welcome him to the team for the right price, but I won't be losing any sleep over it if the deal doesn't go through. He's not an essential piece to the 2011 Chicago Cubs puzzle.

 

Though I will say, if our offseason acquisitions were Garza, Webb, Pena, Davis, and O'Day I'd be pretty happy. Doubt all that happens though

 

I'd be fine with him as long as we don't overpay. Giving up one of our better prospects is pretty close to overpaying and probably is.

 

I don't necessarily think so. I wouldn't be thrilled at giving up Lee in trade for Garza, but I could rationalize it. I think he could be a #2-3 guy in the NL.

[dew1679666265]

I don't necessarily think so. I wouldn't be thrilled at giving up Lee in trade for Garza, but I could rationalize it. I think he could be a #2-3 guy in the NL.

 

It depends on whether he produces closer to his ERA or his xFIP. His ERA has been really good almost every year, but his xFIP has been very mediocre. If he were still cheap, I'd be a lot more open to the idea, but giving up potential good, cheap production for an semi-expensive gamble without elite potential is not real enticing to me.

[Guest]

Let's not forget Garza was pitching in the Al East. The level of offense he'd be facing would be much, much lower.

 

That would definitely help him, though his ERA and WHIP haven't been hurt by facing the Red Sox - he has a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP against them. The Yankees have hit him pretty hard, though.

 

Interestingly, B-R has his similar pitchers at age 26 as Kip Wells and Steve Trachsel. Ouch.

 

To me, it's not just going from the AL East to the NL Central (though that certainly factors in), but just the simple AL to the NL where you get to face the pitcher a couple times each outing. Lilly's numbers got noticably better after switching leagues and while that obviously doesn't mean that Garza will, I think it's likely Garza's numbers would improve also.

 

I'd love to get Garza but like others have said, he's got to come at the right price though.